The Chimney Sweep

Clad from head to toe in black (and usually wearing an old top hat), meeting a Polish chimney sweep is literally like coming face to face with a relic from the past...or at least Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins!!

Love & Marriage

Polish weddings are a great occasion and are far better than the average British wedding. They are steeped in tradition with the groom carrying the bride into the wedding reception, the happy couple throwing their glasses over their shoulders and then loads of wedding games at midnight. This is all washed down with copius amounts of vodka followed by a lot of dancing. The party usually goes on until 6am and then it's followed by yet another party the following day!!

Here is a typical Polish wedding shop. It's normal for the happy couple to have their photos taken on a separate day after the wedding.

The First Communion

Last weekend, we attended a First Communion which is traditionally a very important festive occasion for Roman Catholic families. After the mass, families always celebrate with a sumptuous feast as well as gifts for the child.

Wet Monday!

Today is Wet Monday (Lany Poniedzialek) or "Smigus-Dyngus". Traditionally, men soak women with water...although these days pretty much anyone can get wet. You have to be really careful when walking through town!! Don't get offended if someone does pour water over you. Apparently, it will bring luck for the rest of the year.

Another tradition is to hit women against the ankles with branches. As you can see Poland has its own unique traditions and customs at Easter.

Happy Easter from Toruń!

Our Easter basket which was taken to church yesterday to be blessed

Beautifully hand-made eggs

An Easter decoration for the home

Hand decorating Easter eggs

The lamb comes out of the oven

Cooling - ready to be decorated

The finished lamb - all iced and ready for the Easter basket

Wishing all our readers a very Happy Easter 2011!

Poland has many rich Easter traditions. From taking an Easter basket to church to hand decorating beautiful eggs to eating Polish Żurek soup to walking around the church 3 times at 6am on Easter Sunday. The list goes on. Wait until what happens tomorrow!! ;-)

The Furry Uniform!

Meet a member of the Mohair Army...

Typical age: 65-85 years old
Typical sex: female
Typical clothes: fur coat, mohair or fur hat
Typical accessory: 1 x large handbag (often used in force)
Typical habits: pushing in front of you in queues and generally trying to get their own way!!

For more information about the 'beloved' Mohair berets, check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohair_berets

Happy Thanksgiving!

[click image to enlarge]

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I baked a few pies for the occasion. This apple pie looks good enough to eat! Is pie part of your tradition? If so, which pie is your favorite?